Friday, August 21, 2015

Tuesday of this week began my SIXTH year of teaching! As each new year approaches, I find myself slightly changing our back to school routine. I imagine I'm not the only one who changes their plans from day-to-day and year-to-year. :)

One very important procedure we have to have down is our morning procedure. Students begin coming into our room at 7:50 and we are out the door for specials by 8:12! Students have to check in, write assignments, get unpacked, etc. etc. There's a lot to do in that short period of time!

Last year, I wrote about using the "My Job, Your Job, Our Job" model to create our morning procedure. It worked wonderfully - my kids loved it. They knew the routine very well.

This year, I decided to switch things up a bit. My kids were eager to start using our classroom iPads and I felt the morning routine would be the perfect opportunity to start.

I grouped students by birthday (original, I know!) and asked them to take photographs of their morning responsibilities. This would include using the restroom (no bathroom pics please!, writing assignments, sharpening pencils, etc.

After a quick tutorial on taking pictures, I sent the students on their merry way.

This lesson also provided an opportunity for me to teach students more about our Connected Classroom. Using the Apple TV, I was able to demonstrate the "AirPlay" function and how to "AirDrop" images from one device to another.

Once students had taken photographs around the room, we gathered together on the carpet and shared our ideas. While students were sharing, I assumed the role as the "Note Taker" and told students I would collect all of their information in a fancy document.

Honestly, they thought of things I didn't even think of!

It was a great way to incorporate technology into an often "boring" part of the back to school routine.

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

It has been a long time since I've read a book that kept me up in the wee hours of the morning to finish reading.

For the month of August, my book club chose to read "The Nightingale" by Kristin Hannah. From the moment I opened the book and began reading the story of Vianne and Isabelle during World War II - I could not put it down. I toted the book around with me everywhere I went in hops to find a free moment to continue reading.

Be forewarned that your heart will break and you will ache for the lives lost during World War II and the cruelties so many endured. Throughout everything, The Nightingale tells a story of hope, passion, and survival.